Sadly, I part from you; Like a clam torn from its shell, I go, and autumn too.
I took only twice a time-out, once, when I was hurt, and a second time, when I much felt I was exhausted out of personal reasons.
I have been told many times that when I win I make my people proud to be Australian. I am Aboriginal, I am one of them and every time I win or am honoured like this it should be an example to Aboriginal people who may think they have nowhere to go but down. But more importantly I am an Australian and I would like to make all Australians feel proud to be Australian. Ours is a truly multicultural society and should be united as such. I would like to believe that my successes are celebrated by all Australians, bringing our nation together.
You got to try and reach for the stars or try and achieve the unreachable.
I want to be a positive role model, especially for kids and Aboriginal people. . . When people see me, often all they see is another Australian athlete having a go. It isn't until they see the full Cathy Freeman picture that they realise how proud I am of my ancestry and heritage. I'd like a little more tolerance and acceptance of my culture and all the differing cultures that make up Australia.
Twenty seconds before a race, there's absolute focus. The key thing is to achieve relaxation, but at the same to have absolute total control. You've got to find the balance between being totally ready to go and being really at peace with yourself as well.
Realise there is always somebody else in the World who's not coping as well as you are.
The more we give importance to skill development, the more competent will be our youth.
I know a great country that needs to be rebuilt in terms of roads, bridges, schools. That is called the United States of America.
and that, in the end, the most interesting people always leave.
The name Yunupingu means 'rock - rock that stands against time'. The name Yunupingu belonged to my grandad, like he was a hero in his time. It was passed down through the generations to my Father. It's a name that makes us understand who we are, where we're coming from and what our connections are to mother earth and the universe.